Archaeology in the Hinterland of Fort Ross, California

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Under the guidance of Dr. Kent Lightfoot, a group of graduate students will analyze materials collected in the initial phase of the Fort Ross archaeological project. They will also conduct related documentary research to prepare for a larger-scale field project. The Fort Ross site, located on the coast of California, was established by Russia in 1812 (and maintained until 1841) as a base for sea otter hunting. It also served as an agricultural station where crops and livestock were raised for local consumption and for shipment to Russia's Alaskan colonies. In addition to Europeans, the base contained Alaskan natives. Presumably both groups interacted with the Native American peoples who inhabited this coastal area. Dr. Lightfoot and his team are focussing their attention on this interactive aspect and have located a series of likely native American sites which both pre and postdate the establishment of the Fort. Analyses will include obsidian hydration dating of lithic remains, processing and cataloging of artifacts, analysis of faunal and floral remains, and sediment studies. Relevant ethnohistoric and archaeological sources will also be examined to put these materials into a broader anthropological context and to establish directions for future research. This research is significant for several reasons. First, excellent ethnographic data exists on aboriginal California peoples, and archaeologists have used this information to reconstruct hypothetical prehistoric lifeways. However, it is unclear how great the impact of Russians and other Europeans was and some argue that aboriginal life was markedly changed by this contact. This project will help to answer this question. Secondly, the research will assist in the training of several young and extremely promising scientists.